I was very happy to come across this book many months in advance of traveling – for my first time to Italy – to visit the lands of Francis of Assisi as an integral part of my sabbatical. He’d been a life-long inspiration to me and my family as we had Franciscan relatives on both sides, and my mother loved his Peace Prayer more than any other. [This trip was also to honour her memory, the Saint we both loved, and to cherish the beauty of his prayer.]

Prior to entering the Sisters of Charity, I was a primary school teacher in a small rural Catholic school in northern Alberta – St. Mary’s. I was this young, spritely thing who was also discerning religious life and full of joy in the spiritual influence of St. Francis. I recall teaching my Grade Three students every song rendition I could find of his beautiful ‘Canticle of Creation.’ My recollection is that they loved it, too.

So, here was an author – Linda Bird Francke – who also shared something of her deep love of St. Francis through her spiritual travelogue. She’d enjoyed quite a comprehensive and lively journey with her husband, Harvey (who drove), crisscrossing Italy for reminders of Francis’ mystical and inspirational nature and his ‘green’ heart. As I read the book, I was very inspired, and it was a tremendous help in planning my own pilgrimage to several of these sites. Returning home from this journey, I picked up the book again, and am re-reading parts of it with a whole new appreciation for these places that I can now picture and warmly remembering my own special encounters.

Stay tuned! I will offer a Zoom livestream of my spiritual travelogue to ‘The Lands of St. Francis’ October 4, 2020. During that event, I’ll weave inspiration from this book with my own encounters of places visited. In addition, please join me September 17, 2020, as I offer a Zoom livestream of my spiritual travelogue to ‘The Lands of St. Hildegard’ – another beloved Saint of mine – and to whose lands I also journeyed during sabbatical. Livestream event details to be announced.

Sculpture of St. Francis, near San Damiano, Assisi, where it is thought he wrote ‘The Canticle of Creation.’ photo by Sister Maureen Wild

More Charity Alive – June 2020

Forgive Us, God of Life, For We Know Not What We Do

The tragic death of George Floyd fills us with grief and pain. As we struggle to bring this event to prayer, words fail. And yet, we are called to respond, for we are responsible — “able to respond.”

No matter what else is happening try to remember the Class of 2020 graduates and if you can, party with them

We want to congratulate all in the class of 2020 wherever you are.

Gardens We Know and Love

Many people we know are garden people. They love to be part of the cycle of planting, nurturing, weeding, watering and harvesting (and sharing) from the fruits of their labour. Fruitfulness is a sign of the Spirit.

Marjie Rochon reflects on her role as a Care Liaison at Wellesley during COVID-19

From my home or Marillac office, I call Sisters each day to chat. I offer Zoom calls so we can stay in touch visually and coach Sisters on how to use Zoom.

Sister Maureen Wild Recommends On the Road with Francis of Assisi – a timeless journey through Umbria and Tuscany, and beyond (2005) by Linda Bird Francke

I was very happy to come across this book many months in advance of traveling - for my first time to Italy - to visit the lands of Francis of Assisi as an integral part of my sabbatical.

From the Archives — Gardens We Have Known and Loved

Photos from Mount Saint Vincent Motherhouse in Halifax, the Farm in Wellesley and Seton Academy in Vancouver.

Sister Maureen Wild Recommends On the Road with Francis of Assisi – a timeless journey through Umbria and Tuscany, and beyond (2005) by Linda Bird Francke

More Charity Alive – June 2020

Charity Alive – May 2020

Issues of Charity Alive